How Many Carbohydrates Are in One Breaded Shrimp?

by Melodie Anne Coffman

Breaded shrimp have more carbs than plain broiled shrimp.

Some types of seafood, including shrimp, have small amounts of carbohydrates. When you bread the shrimp during preparation, you'll add even more carbohydrates. You need some carbohydrates in your diet, however. They metabolize into glucose to power all your cells, particularly brain cells which can only use glucose as a source of energy. Eat breaded shrimp in moderation and prepare them without excess fat to make them a healthy part of your diet.

Amount of Carbohydrates

One large breaded shrimp, weighing 7.5 grams, has about .85 grams of carbohydrate. While this is still a low amount of carbohydrates, it's about eight times as much as a plain broiled shrimp. Without the breading, a large 7.5-gram shrimp has a minimal .1 gram of carbohydrate, according to the USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference.

Types of Carbohydrates

Most of the carbohydrates in breaded shrimp, more than 90 percent, come from starch, a type of complex carbohydrate. Starch undergoes several processes in your digestive tract before it eventually converts into glucose. Because it takes a while to break down, starch tends to slowly elevate blood sugar levels over time. The remaining carbohydrates come from a trace amount of sugar found in the breading. Sugar almost instantly transforms into glucose, quickly raising your blood sugar, although the amount in breaded shrimp is so minimal, you are unlikely to experience this effect.

Carbohydrate Recommendation

Since carbohydrates are vital for energy, a large portion of your total caloric intake should come from this macronutrient. Around 45 to 65 percent of your total calories need to come from carbohydrates, according to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010. Since carbs have 4 calories per gram, you'll need 225 to 325 grams of carbohydrates for an average 2,000-calorie diet.

Healthy Alternatives

Breaded shrimp is often deep-fried to give it a crunchy outer texture. One 7.5-gram breaded and fried shrimp has approximately 20 calories and nearly 1 gram of fat, more than double the calories and fat from plain broiled shrimp. Shave off a few grams of fat and several calories by making your own version of breaded shrimp at home. Batter peeled and deveined shrimp in a standard three-part breading process: flour, egg wash and bread crumbs. Season bread crumbs with your favorite dried herbs and fresh cracked pepper for added flavor. Instead of popping the breaded shrimp into hot oil, place them on a hot cookie sheet and bake them in the broiler of your oven. The intense heat will crisp up the bread crumbs, giving you the crunchy flavor you crave without all the fat.

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About the Author

Melodie Anne Coffman has been writing for various online and print publications since 1996, specializing in human and animal nutrition. After receiving her master's degree in food science and human nutrition, she opened up her own nutrition consulting business in the New England area.

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